BERLIN (AP) — Official data show that German industrial production fell in August following an increase the previous month, a report that comes on top of disappointing figures for factory orders.

The Economy Ministry said Wednesday that production was 1.2 percent lower in August than the previous month. That followed a rise by the same amount in July, which was revised upward from an initial reading of 0.7 percent.

The decline was led by a 2.1 percent drop in production of investment goods such as machinery. The Economy Ministry said that an "unfavorable configuration" of vacation time contributed significantly to the fall.

On Tuesday, Germany reported a 1.8 percent drop in factory orders in August, the second consecutive decline.